Category: News

Friday New Releases – April 7th

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We are now into April and the releases are still coming fast and furious.  There is a little something for everyone today and I am sure you will find something you like.  We have pop, rock, metal, country, alternative, christian, classical, techno…basically the whole gamut of genres.  My interests are focused on the ones highlighted in Blue.

  • 170x170bb-3  Michelle Branch – Hopeless Romantic – (Verve Label Group):  Michelle Branch??  Am I reading that correctly?  It has been over 14 years since she has had a full length solo album.  She had an E.P. in 2010, but not since 2003 has she had a full length studio album.  This one definitely has me intrigued.  I can’t wait to hear what she has to offer.

  • 610grn7amsl-_ac_us160_  Deep Purple – InFinite – (Earmusic):  Deep Purple just keep on going after almost 50 years.  This is their twentieth studio release and quite possibly their last “Big” tour, whatever that means.  I think the band members currently (after many iterations) is Ian Paice, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Steve Morse and Don Alrey.  Looking forward to this release after hearing some great things about the album.

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Friday New Releases – March 31st

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It is the last Friday of the month and even the last day of the month.  There are over 20 albums on the list today including from some old times like Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan up to newcomers like La’Porsha Renae and Jackie Evancho (ok, she isn’t that new, but she is young).  There are also quite a couple 90’s artists back such as Jamiroquai and Ice T’s Body Count.  Only a few I am really interested in hearing right away and they are highlighted in Blue.  I hope there is something on this list that will brighten your day.  Friday new releases are just a great way to end a busy week.

  • 51ahfe18l2l-_ac_us160_  Brother Firetribe – Sunbound – (Spinefarm):  Yes, I know this album came out last week, but I had excluded it from the list for some strange reason. I wanted to highlight the release so I added it to this week’s new releases…Brother Firetribe comes to us from the great country of Finland.  They are a hard rock and AOR band and is a 5 piece band.  ‘Sunbound’ is their fourth release and after three previously stellar releases, I am looking forward to more magic from this band.

  • 170x170bb-5  Mastodon – Emperor of Sand – (Reprise Records):  Mastodon is heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia where I lived for 45 years prior to moving to Charlotte.  These guys are heavy metal and deliver the heavy to the extremes. They are unlike most bands I listen to and it is nice to change it up a little.  I have followed their career for awhile and can’t wait to give a listen.

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Friday New Releases – March 24th

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Are you ready for Friday New Releases?  There are an absolute abundance of records today.  So many to choose from and where the heck do you begin.  I have more I want to hear than I have any week this year.  It is going to be busy non-stop music week.  I hope there is something for you.  The ones I want are in Blue and I can’t wait to get started!!!!

  • 61olilqtlgl-_ac_us160_  Colton Dixon – Identity – (Sparrow):  Colton Dixon has finally returned with a new album.  Colton is a Christian artist and he is a former American Idol Alum, but don’t let any of that scare you away.  He is an amazing talent.  This album is broken up into three parts about the spiritual journey of your Body, Mind & Spirit and should be very interesting.

  • 170x170bb-19  James Blunt – The Afterlove – (Atlantic Records UK):  The fifth studio album from James Blunt drops today.  I have followed him since the beginning even after hearing “You’re Beautiful” way too many times.  He always delivers stellar songs and he has a unique voice that I enjoy over and over.

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John 5 & the Creatures – ‘Season of the Witch’ – Album Review

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John 5 is one of my favorite guitarists and there isn’t much of his work I don’t have.  I came across him while listening to Rob Zombie and from that point I was hooked.  I now have all his solo albums and a lot of his work with Marilyn Manson and of course, all his Rob Zombie albums.

He has done so much more with guest spots on so many albums including a couple on Ace Frehley’s last album, ‘Origins, Vol. 1’.  His real name is John William Lowery, but goes by John 5 thanks in large part to the stage name given to him while working with Marilyn Manson.  The name stuck and he has used it ever since.

He is now on his 8th solo album and this one is entitled ‘Season of the Witch’.  The darkness, morbid sound he had with both Rob & Marilyn is still prevalent on this album as well.  Once you are in the darkness, it must be hard to get out…however, you don’t want him to get out.  This is his speciality.

His band The Creatures consists of Ian Ross and Rodger Carter and together these 3 musicians take you on a nightmarish musical journey that is ‘Season of the Witch’.  The 13 track instrumental album takes you from metal all the way to evil bluegrass.  Strap yourself in and be prepared for the terror of John 5 & the Creatures.

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Friday New Releases – March 17th

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Happy Friday.  What are you in the mood to hear today?  You have a lot of variety and can listen to blues, rock, christian worship, classical pop, pop, alternative, metal and movie scores.  There are even a couple of 80’s bands back (Depeche Mode and Greg Kihn).  Whatever you like, let me know what floats your boat.  Mine are highlighted in Blue.

  • 170x170bb-22  Gary Clark Jr. – Live North America 2016 – (Warner Bros. Records):  This is probably the best one on the list.  Gary Clark Jr. live doesn’t get much better. If you haven’t heard him before, you are missing out.  He is a helluva a guitar player. He is blues, rock, soul, r&b and blends it all nicely together.  Listen to the video below and you will be like..DAMN!!! This man is awesome!!.

  • 170x170bb-3  Elevation Worship – There is a Cloud – (Elevation Church):  This church is just down the road from us and they do a great live show every year at the Spectrum Center that always sells out.  We have seen them several times at church (when we go) and they are amazing.  If you like Worship music, this is one of the better, more talented groups out there.

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Jack Russell’s Great White – ‘He Saw It Comin’ – Album Review

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Through the tragedies (Rhode Island night club fire), the legal battles over the band name, and even the health scares, Jack Russell has persevered.  Jack Russell’s Great White delivers a stellar album with ‘He Saw It Comin’.

The album is a huge surprise as I wasn’t expecting much, but man did Jack and the band exceed all expectations.  If you are expecting Great White, this is not that band.  Jack Russell has gone his own way.

The album doesn’t have a heavy sound throughout, but takes you on a journey through many different styles that cohesively fit together.  Jack raps briefly on “She Moves Me”, they completely rock out on “Spy Vs. Spy” (a throwback to MAD magazine?), have total fun with “Crazy”, and they doo-wop on “Godspeed”.

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Friday New Releases – March 10th

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Happy Friday!  I hope there are some new releases here that you might like.  There is not a whole lot coming out, but a few will be on my list to listen to during the week.  I will highlight those in Blue.  You will see something from the Jerry Garcia Band for you Deadheads and if you liked Soft Cell from the 80’s there is a greatest hits package from Marc Almond.  There is an album by the great country artist Marty Stuart that actually might be worth a listen, but isn’t first up on my list.  I will eventually get to that one.

  • 170x170bb-16  Chickenfoot – Best + Live – (Chickenfoot LLC & Entertainment One): I am not sure how you have a Best of album after only 2 studio albums, but Chickenfoot seems to think they need one.  I am thinking it is a contractual obligation they have to fulfil.  I will be glad for the Live songs and the one new single “Divine Termination”.  No matter what, when you have Sammy, Joe, Chad & Michael together, you are in for a good time.

  • 170x170bb-43  Bush – Black and White Rainbows – (Zuma Rock Records):  Bush is still going strong.  This is the first album for Gavin Rossdale since his well publicized divorce from Gwen Stefani.  It will be interesting to see how that impacted his song writing for this album.  Can’t wait to hear this one regardless of that fact.

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Ed Sheeran – ÷ (Divide) – Album Review

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Ed Sheeran’s album came out on Friday and my oldest daughter couldn’t be happier.  She has been streaming the album almost non-stop since.  I am sure I will have to go out and get her the vinyl real soon which I am okay with because I would listen to it as well.

Sheeran’s new album is called Divide (÷) and is his third album in his young career.  Ed isn’t like all the other pop artist on the radio.  He actually writes his songs and plays his instruments as well.  I would even go as far as saying he is a musician and not just a prop for someone else’s songs.

The album has been breaking Spotify streaming records and is getting a lot of press.  As a result, going into this record I had pretty high expectations.  His first single, “Shape of You” is outstanding and has been blowing up the charts.  It is a pop, dance song about new love and the song currently is still my favorite song on the album, but some others are catching up as I keep hitting repeat on the album myself.

The album opens with “Eraser” and has Ed Sheeran doing a little rapping which comes as no surprise since he has done it before and he is a huge hip hop fan.  The song talks about his struggles with fame which he doesn’t expect you to feel sorry for him.  I could imagine how hard fame really can be and understand the way he feels.  It would be hard to have success so fast and all sense of privacy being stripped away.  The song is great start to the album.

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Friday New Releases – March 3rd

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I can’t believe it is March already.  Damn, time flies.  Another Friday of great new releases.  Finally, Ed Sheeran is gracing us with his presence and a new release.  My oldest daughter could not be more excited.  I hope there is something on the list for you.  My most anticipated are highlighted in Blue.

  • 170x170bb-4  Ed Sheeran – Divide – (Asylum Records):  Yes, after a long wait we now have new Ed Sheeran music.  The kids is super talented and one of the few pop solo artist I will go out an get without hearing anything.  I looking forward to exploring this one for a long while and if the new song, “Shape of You” is any indication of what is to come, this will be great.

  • 170x170bb-72  Tokio Hotel – Dream Machine – (Believe Digital):  I am not sure when or why I stumbled across this German band, but I am glad I did.  What I like about them is how their style changes a little with each album.  They never keep it stale and boring.  It is always interesting.

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Stephen Pearcy – ‘Smash’ – Album Review

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If you are expecting Stephen Pearcy’s ‘Smash’ to sound like Ratt, You’re In Trouble.  This Collage of songs is definitely not Ratt and the first two songs, “I Know I’m Crazy” & “Ten Miles Wide”, proves that it is his own album.

Stephen’s screaming of MuthaFucka at the beginning of “Dead Roses” is the Detonator that is set off on this explosion of rock.  They Lay It Down on the blues sounding “Shut Down Baby”.  I’m Insane for the rockers “Passion Infinity” & “I Can’t Take It” as they would fit nicely on any Ratt album.

It’s a Shame, Shame, Shame, but a few songs don’t hold up.  It feels like he pulled “Summer’s End” Out of the Cellar as it is a stale ballad.  The song “Jamie” completely rips off the chorus on the Ratt song “Can’t Wait On Love” and it Drives Me Crazy.  Lastly, the childish sounding “Lollipop” had me screaming Enough is Enough!

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